yuánjià: 原价 - Original Price, List Price

• Keywords: 原价, yuánjià, yuanjia, original price in Chinese, list price Chinese, full price Mandarin, how to say original price, Chinese shopping vocabulary, bargaining in China, Chinese discounts, HSK 3
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese shopping term 原价 (yuánjià), which means “original price” or “list price.” This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context in China's vibrant bargaining culture, and practical use in stores and online. Discover how understanding 原价 is the first step to getting a great deal and navigating sales like a pro.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yuánjià
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: The original, non-discounted price of a product or service.
• In a Nutshell: 原价 (yuánjià) is the “sticker price” or the starting price of an item before any discounts, sales, or negotiations. In any shopping scenario in China, from a bustling market to an online store, the 原价 serves as the benchmark against which all deals are measured. It's the price you're told first, but not always the price you have to pay.

• 原 (yuán): This character means “original,” “former,” or “source.” Pictorially, it's often described as a spring (泉) bubbling up from under a cliff. Think of it as the origin point of something.
• 价 (jià): This character means “price” or “value.” It's composed of the “person” radical (亻) on the left, suggesting human involvement in determining value, and a phonetic component on the right.
• When combined, 原价 (yuánjià) literally translates to “original price”—the price from the source, before any modifications or reductions.

In Western retail, the listed price is often final. In China, the concept of 原价 (yuánjià) is deeply tied to the dynamic culture of shopping and bargaining. While in major chain stores and supermarkets prices are typically fixed, in many other settings—like local markets, small boutiques, and even some department stores during promotional events—the 原价 is merely a suggestion. It is the opening line in the dialogue of a transaction, not the conclusion. Foreigners who are unaware of this might simply pay the 原价, missing out on the culturally ingrained practice of 讲价 (jiǎngjià), or bargaining. This contrasts with the American concept of MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price), which is a formal guideline. 原价 is a more fluid and immediate concept used directly by the seller. Furthermore, it's a common marketing tactic to display a very high, sometimes inflated, 原价 next to a much lower sale price (特价, tèjià) to create the perception of a massive bargain. Understanding that the 原价 isn't always a “real” or fair price is key to becoming a savvy shopper in China.

原价 (yuánjià) is a ubiquitous term in any commercial setting.

• In-Store Shopping: Price tags will often explicitly state 原价 and then, if applicable, the sale price. A shopkeeper might say, “原价是三百块，给你打个八折” (The original price is 300 kuai, I'll give you a 20% discount).
• Bargaining: It's the starting point for negotiation. A buyer might ask, “这个是原价吗？” (Is this the original price?) to see if there's room to haggle.
• Online Shopping (Taobao, JD.com, etc.): This is one of the most common places to see 原价. It is almost always displayed, crossed out, with the current promotional price shown in a larger, more prominent font. This visual trick emphasizes the savings.
• Services: The term also applies to services like gym memberships, educational courses, or travel packages. For example, “This course's 原价 is 5000 RMB, but sign up this week for a special price.”

The term itself is neutral and used in all levels of formality.

• Example 1:
  • 这件衣服的原价是五百元。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn yīfu de yuánjià shì wǔbǎi yuán.
  • English: The original price of this dress is 500 yuan.
  • Analysis: A simple, direct statement of fact, as you might see on a price tag or hear from a salesperson.
• Example 2:
  • 请问，这是原价还是折扣价？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, zhè shì yuánjià háishì zhékòu jià?
  • English: Excuse me, is this the original price or the discounted price?
  • Analysis: A very practical question for a shopper to clarify the price they are being offered.
• Example 3:
  • 虽然原价有点贵，但是打完折以后很划算。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán yuánjià yǒudiǎn guì, dànshì dǎ wán zhé yǐhòu hěn huásuàn.
  • English: Although the original price is a bit expensive, it's a great deal after the discount.
  • Analysis: This sentence structure is common for explaining a purchase decision, contrasting the initial price with the final value.
• Example 4:
  • 网上购物时，他们总是把原价划掉来吸引顾客。
  • Pinyin: Wǎngshàng gòuwù shí, tāmen zǒngshì bǎ yuánjià huàdiào lái xīyǐn gùkè.
  • English: When shopping online, they always cross out the original price to attract customers.
  • Analysis: This describes the common marketing tactic mentioned in the cultural context section.
• Example 5:
  • 我们不能按原价卖给你，这是我们能给的最低价了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bùnéng àn yuánjià mài gěi nǐ, zhè shì wǒmen néng gěi de zuìdī jià le.
  • English: We can't sell it to you at the original price; this is the lowest price we can offer.
  • Analysis: A typical line used by a seller during bargaining, implying they have already offered a discount from the 原价.
• Example 6:
  • 所有商品都恢复原价了，因为促销活动昨天结束了。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu shāngpǐn dōu huīfù yuánjià le, yīnwèi cùxiāo huódòng zuótiān jiéshù le.
  • English: All products have returned to their original prices because the promotion ended yesterday.
  • Analysis: This shows the temporary nature of sales. “恢复原价” (huīfù yuánjià) means “to restore the original price.”
• Example 7:
  • 这本书的原价是60块，现在半价出售。
  • Pinyin: Zhè běn shū de yuánjià shì liùshí kuài, xiànzài bànjià chūshòu.
  • English: The original price of this book is 60 kuai, now it's being sold at half price.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates how 原价 is used as a reference point for specific discount types like “half price” (半价).
• Example 8:
  • 如果你买两件，第二件可以不在原价的基础上打五折。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ mǎi liǎng jiàn, dì èr jiàn kěyǐ zài yuánjià de jīchǔ shàng dǎ wǔzhé.
  • English: If you buy two, the second item can get a 50% discount based on the original price.
  • Analysis: This shows a more complex discount structure. “在原价的基础上” (zài yuánjià de jīchǔ shàng) means “on the basis of the original price.”
• Example 9:
  • 这个标价就是原价，一分钱都不能少。
  • Pinyin: Zhège biāojià jiùshì yuánjià, yī fēn qián dōu bùnéng shǎo.
  • English: This marked price is the original price, and it can't be a penny less.
  • Analysis: A firm statement from a seller indicating that the price is fixed and not negotiable.
• Example 10:
  • 会员可以享受所有正价商品在原价基础上再打九折的优惠。
  • Pinyin: Huìyuán kěyǐ xiǎngshòu suǒyǒu zhèngjià shāngpǐn zài yuánjià jīchǔ shàng zài dǎ jiǔzhé de yōuhuì.
  • English: Members can enjoy a further 10% discount on all full-priced items based on the original price.
  • Analysis: This example from a retail membership context shows how multiple discounts can be layered on top of the 原价.

• Common Mistake: Assuming 原价 (yuánjià) is the final, non-negotiable price. For beginners, the biggest mistake is to see a price tag and immediately pay it in a market or small shop. Always politely inquire if a discount is possible.
• Don't Confuse with 价格 (jiàgé): 价格 (jiàgé) is the general term for “price.” 原价 (yuánjià) is a specific type of price. You can ask “这个价格是多少?” (What is this price?), but if you want to know the starting price before a discount, you ask specifically about the 原价.
• 原价 (yuánjià) vs. 特价 (tèjià): These are opposites. 原价 is the original price, while 特价 (tèjià) is the “special price” or sale price. Often you'll see them side-by-side on a price tag. Paying attention to which one you're being charged is crucial.

• 打折 (dǎzhé) - To give a discount; the action that reduces the `原价`.
• 价格 (jiàgé) - The general term for “price.” `原价` is a specific category of `价格`.
• 特价 (tèjià) - Special price; the sale price. The direct antonym of `原价` in a sales context.
• 现价 (xiànjià) - Current price; often used interchangeably with `特价` during a promotion.
• 讲价 (jiǎngjià) - To bargain or haggle; the process of negotiating a lower price than the `原价`.
• 砍价 (kǎnjià) - A more colloquial and vivid term for bargaining, literally “to chop the price.”
• 便宜 (piányi) - Inexpensive, cheap. The goal of bargaining down from the `原价`.
• 贵 (guì) - Expensive. How the `原价` might be described before a discount.
• 划算 (huásuàn) - A good deal, cost-effective. What a purchase becomes when the final price is much lower than the `原价`.
• 售价 (shòujià) - Selling price. The actual, final price at which an item is sold.